This subject is never a pleasant one. No one likes to acknowledge domestic abuse is a way of life…especially if it is happening within their own life. Unfortunately, domestic abuse happens every day in a multitude of ways. It doesn’t just happen in the lives of the poor, the rich, or the celebrity world; even though, that is often the stories that we hear about…those who are famous. We must awaken to the facts of domestic abuse; it is often learned behaviors that are used to control another person…either with intimidation, physical violence, emotional abuse or sexual abuse.

Domestic abuse is like cancer…it is constantly trying to destroy the people involved. It is a pattern of behavior that affect both the abuser and the person being abused. Many who are being abused do not recognize that what is happening in their lives is actually domestic abuse. The reasons for their lack of understanding, or denial are many. (more…)

Oprah has been discussing her frustration with her recent weight gain over the last two years. This has been an ongoing problem for Oprah (and many others as well) year after year. Weight gain/weight loss cycles are hard on the body and even harder on the psyche. No one needs to pile on the negative comments…because the person going through it beats up on themselves enough! That is part of the struggle.

The thing is…the up and down roller coaster ride is not one that most people willingly “decide” to get on. One day they have struggled to gain control and lose the weight. They have focussed on the issues at hand and have overcome the struggle.

Then, before they know it…they go on about their daily lives and boom…they find themselves back in a position of being overweight and out of shape. Because in the course of living…they have gone back to old patterns of lifestyle; because, it is easy to slip back into the comfortable way of doing things, without even realizing that you are doing it.

The thing is…being overweight is a bit of an addictive problem. Whether it be smoking, drugs, alcohol or sexual addiction; eating too much is a food addiction…food is tied into holidays and traditions, lifestyle, emotional rewards and punishments; as well as, behavioral patterns.

Eating sensibly has to be combined with a proper amount of physical exercise to balance the nurtritional needs equal to the calorie burn to achieve a maintained weight. If you eat more calories than you burn…the weight accumulates. Health issues start to arise and you feel less like exercising. It becomes a vicious cycle…one that must be stopped before serious health issues affect the person in the quality of their life.

In reading comments that some posters have left on the news websites that ran with the story about Oprah’s weight issues…there were those who were supportive and those who were not.

Those who were not…tended to be supremely over-critical about her weight, her money, her media savy as well as her political alliances. Those who were supportive expressed compassion for her and her battle. Many had been through it themselves in the past or were also in an ongoing situation with their weight. It makes her real and approachable because often times, the public views celebrities as people who have it all at their fingertips…someone people often put on a pedastal.

It is a bit frustrating when you think about all of the shows that Oprah has done about weight loss, healthy dieting, lifestyle changes, cooking healthy meals and snacks only to still be in the same position years later. She is not the only person to do so though.

It is a bit discouraging to think that someone who has “all the money in the world” to hire chefs, personal assistants, personal shoppers, and dieticians is still unable to keep it all together in the weight loss department. That makes those viewers who have less money and resources, who struggle with weight management, feel less able to be in control. In reality, a person who struggles with weight issues is in the same predictament no matter how much money they have. Their self confidence and body image play a big part in their ability to control their weight.

Like it or not, Oprah has built a following through years of hard work on her television show as well as her movies and publishing ventures. Oprah has developed what most business people and marketers are dying to figure out how to procure…it is called customer or viewer loyalty. This is a great tool to help both Oprah and her viewers to encourage one another and motivate one another in reaching their goals and maintaining them.

There are those critics who say that Oprah overshares information about her life…and maybe that is true and maybe it isn’t…but, when you stop and think about it…Oprah knows herself well. Maybe by speaking her version of personal truth and honesty about her weight…it is her way of holding herself accountable once again. I for one, wish her luck and good health!

Have you ever known a couple that is going through a serious trial in their marriage? What about when one partner wants a divorce and one does not? Have you ever wondered how hard someone should fight for their marriage?

I know someone who is going through the battle to save their marriage. He says he didn’t know how to show love. His marriage was jepardized because of it. He grew up with a father that was only able to show his love by working hard for his family…he didn’t know how to express it in any other way. His children grew up to repeat those patterns.

Now another generation is struggling to find ways to communicate love and devotion…but it may be too late. His wife is ready to move on. And yet, he still hangs in there…sacrificing his own wants and needs to bend over backwards to give her control over what happens to their future. Not knowing if she will stop the divorce before it happens…not knowing if she can even remember what drew them together in the first place.

She admits that she wants Prince Charming. When she wanted to work on the marriage…he didn’t realize the depth of the issues. He was in denial. She was tired of trying to fix things on her own. Things never got fully resolved.

The hurt goes deep. The clock is ticking…the legal proceedings are moving along. Can it be saved in time before the divorce takes place…maybe, but they both have to want it. They both have to find news ways of communicating with each other without falling into old patterns of behavior. No one is blameless in this…we all are products of our previous relationships in family and romance. Is it possible to move on and be happy if you can’t resolve the problems from your present relationships? I hope healing can take place.